Author
Topic: 7.5m plug it cord (Read 3756 times)

I just received the 7.5m plug it cord. I ordered it because I joined two stock 3.5m hoses for a longer reach and I like to wrap the plug it along the length of the hose (as I'm sure a lot of you do as well). Does anyone have any horror stories running various tools with this longer cord (i.e. voltage drop over the longer run, burning motors out, etc..)? I feared using a 3rd party extension cord would negate the respective warantees should anything go wrong.

Thanks in advance. Matt.

Logged

Festool USA does not pre-approve the contents of this website nor endorse the application or use of any Festool product in any way other than in the manner described in the Festool Instruction Manual. To reduce the risk of serious injury and/or damage to your Festool product, always read, understand and follow all warnings and instructions in your Festool product's Instruction Manual. Although Festool strives for accuracy in the website material, the website may contain inaccuracies. Festool makes no representations about the accuracy, reliability, completeness or timeliness of the material on this website or about the results to be obtained from using the website. Festool and its affiliates cannot be responsible for improper postings or your reliance on the website's material. Your use of any material contained on this website is entirely at your own risk. The content contained on this site is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice.

Matt:In regard to your longer Plug It Cord: If Festool made it...So it should be “good to go” with any Festool tool.

TinyShop is correct with both of his points.So again... “Good to Go”.

I’ve used 25’ (reaching the length of my shop) and shorter, extension cords -With all of my 110V tools (Festool and otherwise) - For years - With no problems.Including my PC7518 Router, my Powermatic Band Saw, and my Bosch 5412L Miter Saw.But...I don’t use the common/cheaper 14 Gauge cords.I use the heavier 12 Gauge cords.Over 25’ (and the length of the tool’s cord) - They carry the amps/voltage.

After discussing with a friend, we concluded that the 7.5m 16g plug-it cord is sufficient for the 1200w motor on the HK55EQ when plugged directly into an outlet. We also thought that the 10m plug-it cord should be 14g instead of 16g.

As previously mentioned, most of my general purpose extension cords are 12g with lengths of 10ft or 25ft.

Voltage drop is only an issue when one or more of the following scenarios is in play:(a) the cord is crap; i.e. < 1mm squared cross sectional area for longer cables, 0.75mm for shorter.(b) the cord is too long; > 30m (100')+. I've seen some twice that (albeit 2.5mm) that still function well.(c) you're trying to force too much juice through; >10A @ 240v or 20A @ 110.

None of these conditions apply here, so it's only academic really. I challenge you or anybody else to notice the difference in performance blindfolded irrespective of the tool connected.

The only tool where those higher 110v currents are an issue is with that rather disappointing KS120, which suffers from puny motor windings. As this doesn't utilise the plug-it hose, again it's irrelevant.

Voltage drop from a dodgy plug-it connection is much more likely to be an issue than from a "mere" 7.5m of cable.

You can actually feel when voltage drop is an issue: the cables, connectors, whatever become warm to the touch in the places where current flow becomes restricted.

Voltage drop is only an issue when one or more of the following scenarios is in play:(a) the cord is crap; i.e. < 1mm squared cross sectional area for longer cables, 0.75mm for shorter.(b) the cord is too long; > 30m (100')+. I've seen some twice that (albeit 2.5mm) that still function well.(c) you're trying to force too much juice through; >10A @ 240v or 20A @ 110.

(a) depends on current(b) Again a function of current and cross section. 10m at 1mm2 equals 25m at 2,5mm2.(c) No idea why you double the current for 110V in relation to "too much". The voltage drop of 20A at 110V will be double compared to 10A at 240V, or four times bigger relative to nominal voltage (at 230 v 115). That's why in Europe we don't have this problem nearly as much as all currents are half for the same power. We also only have one type of Plug It cable, as everything just runs perfectly fine off of 1mm2.

OT; oh wow, didn't know they have a 10m cord now. I bought a 7.5mm years ago when they didn't offer 10m.

I have used the 10m cord a few times, ended up getting the 7.5 as it hits the sweet spot for a longer cord. Never had an issue with the 10m plug it - regardless of which tool was used. The largest I used was TS75 doing some long ripping cuts in 60mm thick material.The TS75 sailed through and no lights were flickering in the room during the cutting.

Also did some routing with a large Bosch router with the 10m cord, no problems at all. (Yes, did PlugIt the Bosch). That router was 1400/1600W if I remember right.

The largest I used was TS75 doing some long ripping cuts in 60mm thick material.The TS75 sailed through and no lights were flickering in the room during the cutting.

You know that "no lights were flickering" is easier achieved with a cheap cable that effectively funtions as a voltage (and thus current-) limiter, right? A thick cable will have lower losses; the tool sees a higher voltage and maximum current by fixed resistance equals higher maximum current. Higher maximum current will increase voltage losses elsewhere in the system. My brother once had a cheap angle grinder. When used with a cheap long thin-wire extension cord, it would run fine. Used with a nice 2.5mm2 extension cord it's inrush current would often trip the B16 circuit breaker.

Back in the 80's before the plethora of cordless, I used to replace all my tool cords with 20' extensions and installed the drill hooks that came on industrial B&D drills. I did commercial glazing and automatic door installs and the vestibules would look like a bowl of spaghetti. I would plug into 10 ga extension cords that I made myself as often we were often 100' away from a feed in a new installation. I have at least 15 power tools in my van now and none are corded...I finally took out my 35 year old Milwaukee hammerdrill as I now use the 18v Milwaukee rotary hammer. The only corded power tool I use on site now is a 35 year old Hilti TE-72 for the really big stuff.